Tracy and DesJarlais agree: Partial government shutdown worth it in effort to block Obamacare

Tracy and DesJarlais agree: Partial government shutdown worth it in effort to block Obamacare

NASHVILLE - Republican Jim Tracy, the state senator challenging U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais in next year's GOP primary, says he approves of U.S. House GOP representatives' role in the partial shutdown of the federal government over the federal health care law.

"No. 1, the worst thing that happened really wasn't that the government shut down but that Obamacare went into effect today," Tracy said. "That's where I am."

That puts Tracy on the same side as DesJarlais in the battle between congressional Republicans and President Barack Obama and his fellow Democrats.

The impasse over a temporary funding measure led today to a partial shutdown of federal government operations in Tennessee and across the country.

Tracy noted Obama has called "the shutdown is the height of irresponsibility. But I believe the responsible people of Tennessee demand what I call accountable leadership, a leadership that is conservative and effective and does not pass along today's problems to future generations."

He said he backs a balanced budget, "meaningful" tax reform and creating "certainty so that the small businesses can grow and expand. The people of the 4th Congressional District need a congressman who can get things done."